HONOLULU--On Tuesday morning, the University of Hawai'i athletics department held a blessing and celebration for renovations at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. UH president David Lassner, athletics director David Matlin, associate AD Vince Baldemore and softball head coach Bob Coolen gave brief remarks before Kahu Kordell Kekoa officially blessed the new facility, the coaches and the team.

"This is a really auspicious time to celebrate this facility." stated Lassner. "2022 is the 50th anniversary of Title IX--the brilliant creation of our very own, Patsy Mink. Without whom we would not have this kind of facility or likely these teams at UH or anywhere in the country. But today we are here to celebrate a new facility that will improve the experience here at UH Mānoa for the student-athletes that we are all here to serve."

"Gratitude. That's the best word to describe my feelings for today." said Matlin. "I'm so appreciative of the many hands that have played a part in this new facility. I'm very thankful for everyone including our athletics 'ohana and all the contributors. This facility as he (Lassner) mentioned is a great testament to Title IX something that's near and dear to the University of Hawai'i and the state of Hawai'i. It will also help us compete on the national level. It's just difference-making stuff to help our student-athletes so they can compete at the highest level…that's what it's about."

Coolen added, "This facility is second to none right now in the Big West. We're the only stadium in the Big West that has a connecting locker room to the dugout. This is really going to give us a competitive edge."
 
"I'll forever remember how this was built from that one little equipment room over there to what it has become now, I appreciate all the people who have put the time and effort into supporting us. As they mentioned in the beginning about us celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Title IX and that is what created this. It's just something that our program will benefit from and when I walk away into the sunset over here in Hawai'i I will come back and watch as many games as I can."

When talking about the moment entering the locker room for the first time, junior first baseman Dallas Millwood remembered, "It was unbelievable. Me and Rachel Bueller...we just started crying. It's amazing seeing that this is something that the State of Hawai'i did for us. We feel very honored. It's nothing like I've ever seen before. This whole place is our home."

The new facility, which is located under the first base line bleachers includes:

• A new entry plaza, home team locker room with showers and restroom facilities, lounge, training room, coaches' offices, and umpire changing rooms. 
• The facility is fully air conditioned l
• Home dugout upgrades including new benches and equipment storage.
• An outdoor viewing room is provided along the first base side of the field, with built in counters
• A waiting room for the head coach's office will also have access to the viewing room.
• An audio visual system with video monitors in the lounge, locker room, training room, and coaches offices.
• New landscaping at the entry plaza and around the locker room building
• A new fire alarm system is added, covering the entire stadium.

 Hawai'i will play its first games in the newly renovated stadium this Friday, when it takes on Chaminade in an exhibition doubleheader.